Soon, I will jump in my car and drive off. Alone. Starting from my home here in Southern California, I will be exploring cities up the west coast, all the way to Canada, peaking at the wondrous city of Banff. I will be coming back down through Montana, Idaho, Utah, and the like. I will be camping, couch surfing, mountain biking, hiking, National Park-ing, sightseeing, visiting friends, and a whole lot more. I have no idea how long I will be gone, as the trip will take as long as it takes.
Part of this trip is to explore this wonderful world we have. I want to experience as much of this fantastic planet as possible! Another big part of it is that I am attempting to couch surf a good bunch of it; I have come to realize through my travels that it is the connections with others that truly matter to me. I love other people; I love different perspectives and introspective conversations. I am rather addicted to them. This is why I couch surf and host couch surfers, I want to know all about you and your stories. Selfishly, I want to learn and grow from you and to share myself, as openly and honestly as I know how to.
I am going to loosely be documenting my travels, but writing about it and taking photos are not the priority, the experiences are.
Brea, Ca
Day 0
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
I sit here at Home. One last night before I leave.
Home. A safe, comfortable space. Can one be too safe? Insulate themselves too much? Unknowingly, suffocating themselves so incredibly slowly, that even the most introspect cannot sense they are in pain, slowly dying?
I wonder. What happens if we burn the home down and embrace the uncomfortable? The unknown? I have lived one extreme for too long, it is time to light the match. Run away. And see how it all gets rebuilt.
Santa Barbara, Ca
Day 1
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
…aaand I am away. First stop Santa Barbara! Spent the day driving and getting to know my first host, Steve!
Check-Ins
Day 1 – May 23, 2018 ∙ 2:00pm
All packed and ready to go! Time to Run Away!
Day 1 – May 23, 2018 ∙ 6:07pm
First beer of the trip! I feel there might be more to come. Drinking: Davy Brown Ale.
Day 1 – May 23, 2018 ∙ 7:04pm
Meeting my couch surfing host, Steve, as he talks about his trip to Malta.
Santa Barbara, Ca
Day 2
Thursday, May 24, 2018
A day full of wandering the streets of Santa Barbara on foot, ending with a final nightcap at a sleepy bar. Little did I know that last stop would turn my world upside-down.
Check-Ins
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 1:13pm
Perhaps one of the most beautiful government buildings with amazingly gorgeous landscaping.
FUN FACT: Completed in 1929, the courthouse has Roman, Gothic, and Spanish-Moorish architectural influences.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 1:52pm
I made it to the top of the clock tower!
FUN FACT: The Clock Tower houses one of the last remaining working tower clocks made by the Seth Thomas Clock Company. Installed in 1929, the clock still functions and keeps time for the community on its four tower faces.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 4:06pm
Making friends! This is Petros, a retired Greek pelican on vacation.
FUN FACT: Sometimes pelicans eat pigeons. Wait, what?
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 4:26pm
Wine obviously! Okay, no…I had a beer.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 5:12pm
This flight of booze was magical. Thanks for the recommendation, Dan!
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 6:06pm
And I'm back with 200% more puppies!
Drinking: Goldilocks Blonde, Boont Amber Ale, Berry Patch Gose, Painted Cave IPA.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 6:48pm
I stopped in here for some food. It was okay. Not very memorable.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 9:22pm
This sleepy little bar was dead but looked friendly and welcoming. The night was winding down. And I thought, one last drink.
“This place turns into a club at night”, the bartender commented. I looked over at literally the only other dude at the end of the bar and thought, surely not tonight. And then, within the space of a half-hour, as if by some magical prophecy, the place exploded with people. I was a little tipsy and very confused.
Day 2 – May 24, 2018 ∙ 11:21pm
These two fuzzy gentlemen, after hearing about my trip, both bought me drinks.
I found myself talking to all kinds of people, some were buying me shots, pretty sure there was dancing involved...it was...crazy. I stumbled back to my host's place somehow at around 1am.
San Luis Obispo, Ca
Day 3
Friday, May 25, 2018
Slightly hungover and exhausted, the day did not start as planned. My eyes were dry and burned like the fires of hell. Apparently, I did not remove my contacts before plopping into bed. Even worse, in attempting to extract them from behind my eyeballs, I surprisingly managed to scratch my cornea. The pain escalated, doctors were seen, antibiotic drops were applied, and after a drive to a new city, drinks were drunk. It was a day.
Check-Ins
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 11:00am
Saying goodbye to Steve, my amazing couch surfing host.
FUN FACT: The face I'm making, this is the face of pain.
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 11:33am
Some advice: do not sleep in your contacts. Sometimes they can travel behind your eyes and lodge themselves in the parietal lobe of your brain. Once there they can explode into many hot needles, skewing the backside of the eyeball.
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 5:13pm
Goodbye Santa Barbara. Hello San Luis Obispo. Cheers!
Drinking: Guava Farmhouse Ale - Saison
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 6:00pm
This place is big, clean, and devoid of any personality or intimacy. Exactly what you’d expect a place calling itself “Brew Rock” would be. The phrase "soulless cookie-cutter brewery" comes to mind.
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 7:11pm
Loved this place. Intimate, great service, awesome beers. So great that I forgot to take a photo. So, here is a stolen one from the internet.
Drinking: Barrelhouse Ipanero IPA: F'n delicious!
Day 3 – May 25, 2018 ∙ 9:10pm
Sipping a delicious Kentucky Monk before meeting my couch surfing host.
San Luis Obispo, Ca
Day 4
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Time to explore some nature! Spent the afternoon mountain biking a gigantic park. Then I grabbed some delicious foods while wandering around downtown. I ended the day with a night of fantastic conversation getting to know my amazing host, Kim!
Check-Ins
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 12:59pm
Finally got to mountain bike! Rode around this beautiful park all afternoon.
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 4:27pm
Lunch next to a creek after a fun afternoon of riding and exploring the city.
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 7:00pm
Hanging out and sharing stories with my amazing host and his menagerie of animals!
Check-Ins
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 12:59pm
Finally got to mountain bike! Rode around this beautiful park all afternoon.
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 4:27pm
Lunch next to a creek after a fun afternoon of riding and exploring the city.
Day 4 – May 26, 2018 ∙ 7:00pm
Hanging out and sharing stories with my amazing host and his menagerie of animals!
Morro Bay, CA + Paso Robles, CA
Day 5
Sunday, May 27, 2018
It was a day of two cities. First, I moved on to the foggy coast of Morro Bay, where I aimlessly wandered into some art and science.
Then, I traveled inland to El Paso de Robles or “The Pass of the Oaks.” It was there, in the land famous for its wineries and vineyards, I enjoyed some local beers. Later, I met up with a friend for some fantastic conversation.
Check-Ins
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:00am
Human fuel station. I splurged for the java octane boost. Photo kidnapped from the webs.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:45am
Before the caffeine kicked in, I stumbled upon an Art Fair.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:20am
Hiking the foggy coast.
FUN FACT: The first settlers of the local area were the Chumash Native American peoples and lived along the southern California coast for over 12,000 years. It took less than 200 years to almost completely wipe them out.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:30am
The effects from the caffeine have obviously kicked in!!! Stare into the face of exuberance!
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:45am
Whale, whale, whale, what do we have here? A fun and tiny museum! You otter go visit!
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 2:02pm
First stop after the drive in from the bay. The beer flight was just okay. But I met and chatted up some great people!
Drinking: C-Hops Pale Ale, Galaxy Pale Ale, UnderCurrants American Wild Ale.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 4:06pm
Holy gigantic tasters! These more than satisfied my snobby palate. Luckily, it's right next to the downtown, time to get some grub.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 7:00pm
It was a great burrito, but I was so hungry, I forgot to take a photo. Image permanently borrowed from the interwebs.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:00pm
An old pal and I got together for hours of stimulating conversation. Thanks Jeremy!
Check-Ins
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:00am
Human fuel station. I splurged for the java octane boost. Photo kidnapped from the webs.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:45am
Before the caffeine kicked in, I stumbled upon an Art Fair.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:20am
Hiking the foggy coast.
FUN FACT: The first settlers of the local area were the Chumash Native American peoples and lived along the southern California coast for over 12,000 years. It took less than 200 years to almost completely wipe them out.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:30am
The effects from the caffeine have obviously kicked in!!! Stare into the face of exuberance!
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 11:45am
Whale, whale, whale, what do we have here? A fun and tiny museum! You otter go visit!
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 2:02pm
First stop after the drive in from the bay. The beer flight was just okay. But I met and chatted up some great people!
Drinking: C-Hops Pale Ale, Galaxy Pale Ale, UnderCurrants American Wild Ale.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 4:06pm
Holy gigantic tasters! These more than satisfied my snobby palate. Luckily, it's right next to the downtown, time to get some grub.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 7:00pm
It was a great burrito, but I was so hungry, I forgot to take a photo. Image permanently borrowed from the interwebs.
Day 5 – May 27, 2018 ∙ 10:00pm
An old pal and I got together for hours of stimulating conversation. Thanks Jeremy!
Monterey, CA
Day 6
Monday, May 28, 2018
My Paso couch surfing host fell through, so I decided to sleep in the car last night. And after a long drive to Monterey, I was ready to have a nice relaxing day at the beach. And the day delivered.
The weather could not have been better. I wandered the coast, and afterward, I treated myself to some scrumptious sushi. I had lined up a couch surfing host, but they weren’t available until tomorrow night. So, I splurged; I booked an Airbnb. It was a shared home, thus I joined, and got to know, some other beautiful travelers from around the world.
Check-Ins
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 2:00pm
Father and daughter. I introduced myself after this shot and emailed them this photo.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 2:24pm
Looked everywhere, I didn't find my lover. 😕 I give it 1-star.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 3:33pm
Wandering the coast of Monterey.
FUN FACT: The Mark V diving helmet, immortalized here, was created in 1905 and used by the ghost of Captain Cutler. Even though he was covered in glowing seaweed, Cutler was later revealed to not be a ghost by Scooby and the gang.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 6:18pm
$1 sushi? I'm in trouble.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 8:00pm
My last-minute couch surfing attempts failed for a 2nd night. So, I found a sweet Airbnb, it's a single room in a house, I got to mingle with the other house guests: an awesome couple from Germany whom I gave LA sightseeing advice to and another couple who just spent a week at Lightning in a Bottle.
I'm ending the night finally sewing the tear in my backpack and listening to podcasts while sipping on some whiskey.
Oh, and the best part, the Airbnb comes with FREE passes to the Aquarium! I know what tomorrow’s plans are! Woot!
Check-Ins
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 2:00pm
Father and daughter. I introduced myself after this shot and emailed them this photo.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 2:24pm
Looked everywhere, I didn't find my lover. 😕 I give it 1-star.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 3:33pm
Wandering the coast of Monterey.
FUN FACT: The Mark V diving helmet, immortalized here, was created in 1905 and used by the ghost of Captain Cutler. Even though he was covered in glowing seaweed, Cutler was later revealed to not be a ghost by Scooby and the gang.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 6:18pm
$1 sushi? I'm in trouble.
Day 6 – May 28, 2018 ∙ 8:00pm
My last-minute couch surfing attempts failed for a 2nd night. So, I found a sweet Airbnb, it's a single room in a house, I got to mingle with the other house guests: an awesome couple from Germany whom I gave LA sightseeing advice to and another couple who just spent a week at Lightning in a Bottle.
I'm ending the night finally sewing the tear in my backpack and listening to podcasts while sipping on some whiskey.
Oh, and the best part, the Airbnb comes with FREE passes to the Aquarium! I know what tomorrow’s plans are! Woot!
Monterey, CA
Day 7
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
A day at the aquarium! I absolutely love the ocean and its bizarre and beautiful creatures. I could have spent all day there, but I was to meet my new host. I found Ernest at his favorite haunt, where I joined him and his friends to play some trivia, drink, and be merry!
Check-Ins
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 11:41am
FUN FACT: At 320,000-US-gallon and nearly three stories high, the Kelp Forest is the first successful attempt to maintain a living kelp forest in an artificial setting. The tank has giant kelpfish, giant sea bass, rockfish, swell sharks, leopard sharks, sea anemones, anchovies, pacific sardine, warty sea cucumber, little Billy from Vermont, wolf-eels, crabs, red octopus, and more!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 11:45am
FUN FACT: The nurse shark’s name may be derived from an archaic word, nusse, meaning cat shark. Nurse sharks also pretty much ignore humans and have been known to purposely knock things off sea cliffs.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 12:39pm
FUN FACT: Jellyfish have no brain or heart, are found in every ocean, can be immortal, and are among the Earth’s deadliest creatures. Rethinking the “FUN” in FUN FACT.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:21pm
UNFUN FACT: 90% of seabirds eat plastic rubbish, mistaking it for food.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:17pm
FUN FACT: Artist Sayaka Gantz made these sculptures out of reclaimed materials that might have otherwise been polluting the ocean.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:32pm
FUN FACTS: A tortoise is a turtle, but not all turtles are tortoises. The scales on the outer shell of a tortoise are made of the same keratin as human fingernails. And lighter colored shells indicate that a tortoise originally came from a warmer climate. Also, the tortoise/rabbit rivalry is real and they are currently in a land war in Asia.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:02pm
Omar Rayyan. “Contessa with Squid” 2011. Oil on panel.
FUN FACT: This painting is historically accurate. And prints are available here!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:11pm
Nemo Gould. Tentacles: The Octopus. 2014. Kinetic sculpture.
FUN FACT: Nemo’s got a website!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:33pm
FUN FACT: Yellowtail rockfish likes butter, lemons, herbs, sesame-soy stir-fried greens, and…wait. Never mind, they eat sardines.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:33pm
Sampled a few beers here. Best beer yet: Stone I'm Peach Double IPA. I also grabbed some yummy foodstuffs from the 'Tacos Don Beto' food truck.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 6:15pm
Hey look, a farmer's market!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 7:10pm
Another tasty beverage while I wait to meet my host.
Drinking: Palapa of Your Dreams IPA.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 9:00pm
Trivia night with my amazing couch surfing host, Ernest, and his buddies!
Check-Ins
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 11:41am
FUN FACT: At 320,000-US-gallon and nearly three stories high, the Kelp Forest is the first successful attempt to maintain a living kelp forest in an artificial setting. The tank has giant kelpfish, giant sea bass, rockfish, swell sharks, leopard sharks, sea anemones, anchovies, pacific sardine, warty sea cucumber, little Billy from Vermont, wolf-eels, crabs, red octopus, and more!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 11:45am
FUN FACT: The nurse shark’s name may be derived from an archaic word, nusse, meaning cat shark. Nurse sharks also pretty much ignore humans and have been known to purposely knock things off sea cliffs.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 12:39pm
FUN FACT: Jellyfish have no brain or heart, are found in every ocean, can be immortal, and are among the Earth’s deadliest creatures. Rethinking the “FUN” in FUN FACT.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:21pm
UNFUN FACT: 90% of seabirds eat plastic rubbish, mistaking it for food.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:17pm
FUN FACT: Artist Sayaka Gantz made these sculptures out of reclaimed materials that might have otherwise been polluting the ocean.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 1:32pm
FUN FACTS: A tortoise is a turtle, but not all turtles are tortoises. The scales on the outer shell of a tortoise are made of the same keratin as human fingernails. And lighter colored shells indicate that a tortoise originally came from a warmer climate. Also, the tortoise/rabbit rivalry is real and they are currently in a land war in Asia.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:02pm
Omar Rayyan. “Contessa with Squid” 2011. Oil on panel.
FUN FACT: This painting is historically accurate. And prints are available here!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:11pm
Nemo Gould. Tentacles: The Octopus. 2014. Kinetic sculpture.
FUN FACT: Nemo’s got a website!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:33pm
FUN FACT: Yellowtail rockfish likes butter, lemons, herbs, sesame-soy stir-fried greens, and…wait. Never mind, they eat sardines.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 2:33pm
Sampled a few beers here. Best beer yet: Stone I'm Peach Double IPA. I also grabbed some yummy foodstuffs from the 'Tacos Don Beto' food truck.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 6:15pm
Hey look, a farmer's market!
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 7:10pm
Another tasty beverage while I wait to meet my host.
Drinking: Palapa of Your Dreams IPA.
Day 7 – May 29, 2018 ∙ 9:00pm
Trivia night with my amazing couch surfing host, Ernest, and his buddies!
Next Week on Dean Runs Away!
He survived a week on the road, but what lies around the corner? Will Dean find more reliable couch surfing hosts? Will he make it to the Bay area before he gets eaten by a pelican? And speaking of birds, why is he squeezing the life out of this baby quail?!?
Continue the adventure into Week Two to find out!
